what gives, joe?
Okay, sorry I left you hanging with my last post about the incredible thing Ira did the other day. It's just that I haven't quite gotten over the whole NICU jinx thing. I thought about describing what went down and what amazing achievement Ira accomplished but instead I'll show you. Check it out:
I'll give you more details on this later but for now know that we only take him off the vent for a few minutes a day. (We're kinda doing it on our own so, shhh!, don't tell the docs.)
Friends, to say that this is a big honkin' deal is an understatement. Ira off the vent? C'mon! That's huge! You celebrated with us when Ira came home from the NICU. You celebrated with us when he came home from the PICU. You celebrated with us when he took his first steps. Please, celebrate with us again as we begin this process of weaning him from the vent. We're so excited!
We leave out on Monday for the big road trip and we have a busy weekend ahead so this will be my last post for a while. I might post from the road but no guarantees.
peace, The Hays Fam
-
I'll give you more details on this later but for now know that we only take him off the vent for a few minutes a day. (We're kinda doing it on our own so, shhh!, don't tell the docs.)
Friends, to say that this is a big honkin' deal is an understatement. Ira off the vent? C'mon! That's huge! You celebrated with us when Ira came home from the NICU. You celebrated with us when he came home from the PICU. You celebrated with us when he took his first steps. Please, celebrate with us again as we begin this process of weaning him from the vent. We're so excited!
We leave out on Monday for the big road trip and we have a busy weekend ahead so this will be my last post for a while. I might post from the road but no guarantees.
peace, The Hays Fam
-
posted by jch at
8:10 PM
52 Comments:
Joe--I sit here in tears watching this--I dont even personally know you and your family but have followed along throughout and it truly is just amazing to watch Ira so full of life, smiling and dancing off the vent. thank you for sharing and I celebrate with you all this wonderful and awesome milestone.
Joe and Laura,
Ira looks wonderful! I have to tell you - when we first started weaning John off the vent he use to just sit there. He wouldn't move around at all - because he was working. The fact that Ira is moving around like that off the vent is a great sign that this will go well for you all!
I am delighted, excited, and not surprised that he is doing well!
Keep up the GREAT work!
Love, Barb Kevin and Johnny
P.S. Kevin walked by when I was playing the video and asked me, "when did you get that video of John", when he got closer he could tell but we both laughed.
absolutely amazing! congrats ira!!!
absolutely amazing! congrats ira!!!
That is the most wonderful thing I have seen in so long!! Hurray for Ira!!!
Oh and Dan Zane is seriously awesome. Great pick
Ira's the reason I started coming here *back in the day*...my cousins from College Station sent me Ira's story and the link--and now I check in every time Google Reader indicates that there might be a Hayes family update.
Good to see Ira looking so happy and well!!!
I should be packing up my apartment but I'm sitting on my bed weeping instead. This is the greatest day. Love you guys.
Oh Joe, I am so excited and Ira looks like he is too. What a journey he has been on. That is a joyous video.
I really thought that I would try to see in the University church but I thought that it was this Sunday. Next Sunday we will be out of town.
Have a great time on your trip. I know that you will have stories to tell when you are back.
Jaw-droppingly awesome. I praise God for how far your son has come so far, and how far he is going to go. My favorite part was the dancing in circles with the book. It's so...normal. So toddler-ish and wonderful.
You know what? You should show this to his docs! Go Ira!
Ira is a great dancer--sign him up for a kiddie dance class! He must feel so free without his equipment. Prayers have been answered!
AHHHH, are you kidding me?!!! That is AWESOME! WOW! And I must say, his frowning face is adorable. This video just made me so excited inside... to see him doing so well. Truly miraculous!!
Absolutely precious and wonderful! I am so thrilled to see the joy in Ira's face and in Laura's face - I love seeing Ira so free to move! Tears continue to run down my face. Praise God for this!
We love you and are praying for you as you take your trip - so thankful that you get to take the trip.
Love,
Kaley
PS - I also love that Ira is wearing the Batman shirt - for some reason that one of my favorite shirts - not sure why....:-)
What can I say that hasn't already been said? Truly amazing! Ira sweetheart, you look great! Praise God! God bless you on your roadtrip, be safe and have a marvelous time!
How appropriate for Ira to be wearing a superhero shirt. Well, he for sure is a super hero! We are so excited for your family. All of your hard work is paying off. Have a wonderful trip.
Love,
The Leshins
YAY!!!!!!! We had a dance party here tonight. Totally impromptu... dancin' to some good ol' funk from the 70s... me and the kids and Cara and her kids... total blast. Your video makes me want to wake everyone up, call the Thameses and make them come back over, and dance all over again! "CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES, come on! We're gonna have a good time...." So, so thrilled for you guys, and especially for sweet, amazing Ira. He's STILL a miracle baby. And hey - that "catch the train" song... totally needs to be on your "getting out of NYC" playlist.
Love you all!
Words can't describe the joy I feel for your family right now (maybe my tears describe it best!). We all have been praying that this would happen someday - but never did I think it would be this "soon." You must be overjoyed!!
Yeah Ira! Keep up the hard work!!
Simply, incredible. Watching that inspirational video was a fantastic way to begin my day.
I am jealous that my parents will have the opportunity to meet Ira for the first time in St. Louis soon.
Blessings on your trip...
That is the most wonderful thing that I've seen on video in a long time! Tears of joy for Ira this morning! Praise God for your whole family!!! Have a great road trip!
That video was AWESOME! Way to go Ira!
We are just stunned...
That was amazing, all of us watched it this morning. Ira you are the man, and your parents are incredible. Way to go Joe and Laura.
sorry just trying to clean up from that..thank you so much for sharing...good job Ira..good job Mom Dad & Sophie
Wow. Amazing. Have a great trip.
I love it! What joy!!!
Be safe in your travels. Looking forward to some hang time in a few weeks. :)
I've been keeping up with & praying for you and your family through the blog. What a treat to see Ira in action without the vent. That kid is livin'!!!
Nicely done video, too. Great song. I'll be humming it all day and smiling to myself as I do.
Fantastic! Amazing! Wahoo! We are so excited and will continue to pray for Ira's health...and for mom and dad's sanity on your upcoming road trip. --Matt
God is good. God is SO good!
Wow! Tears are flowing, I'm laughing out loud in my office, surely someone is coming in to check on me soon. Then I can share Ira's HUGE accomplishment! So VERY EXCITING! Did Ira get a new hair cut? Prayers for traveling mercies on the big trip!! Enjoy!
So wonderful...so thankful to the Lord for this strong, wonderful boy! May he continue to grow in wisdom and stature, in favor with God and man!
We so love your family and celebrate this with you!
The B Family
I loved his frowny face too, especially after all the dancing he was doing. He just seemed so excited to run around and go see whatever he wanted to, as fast as he could. That's really really cool. And dancing with our babies is the best!
Joe and Laura,
This video brought so much joy to my heart! It was a year ago this month that I was able to meet your family and what a year it has been for you! Ira's accomplishments are just incredible! My heart dances with Ira!
Roseane
How cool is THAT?!?!
thank you for sharing your lives with us, Hays family :)
Now THAT is a great sight!
A constant reminder God is at work. Thank you so much for sharing!
Ira, such joy! and "thank you" to the God of our universe who is answering our prayers in His time. Gram can't comment too long because I've got to go put everything in my house out of your reach now that you're "off your leash!" I love you, precious boy, and can't wait to love on you. Vaya con Dios.
Gram
wow wow wow wow wow. what a miracle it is that breath is so easy for most of us, and yet also such a miracle when it takes 2 years of work and growth and determination.
plus, from what i saw last nite on the dance floor, it looks like this boy got is daddy's fierce moves!! ;-)
amazing stuff. harry and i always watch the ira updates together, and harry interacts with ira as if this was all happening live (harry: "see dad, he waved at me"). he has picked up on the fact that ira is having to "get better" and commented excitedly that "ira is doing so good!"
he is. and we praise God for it. we love you guys.
there are no words!!! i feel like dancing too!! rejoicing with you!
karen heflin
What a beautiful sight! We've watched it a few times already and are so happy for Ira and you guys.
Miss you!
D.J. and Eric
That's incredible news. So excited to hear/see this incredible accomplishment!!
Richie
What joy! God is good.
You know how there's going to be dancing in heaven? Well, I think we just got a taste of it. Much love to you, Marion
Joe-- I don't "know" you in person, I heard about your blog from another discussion board I belong to, but I have been totally blessed by you, your wife and your son and daughter. I was choking back tears as I sat at my desk at work and watched little Ira dance. God bless you! Have a great, well deserved vacation!
Way to go Ira! It's wonderful to see you happy & dancing. All I could think was the song from Pinocchio:
"I've got no strings
To hold me down
To make me fret, or make me frown
I had strings
But now I'm free
There are no strings on me."
my heart is filled so much joy watching it could burst! Weepy eyes typing , gosh this is the best thing I have seen in a long long long time , wonderful ,Thank you for sharing this is Beautiful. God Bless
Greeneyes
Congratulations seems like not even enough to express my joy for your family. With tears down my face, I celebrated with you as I watched Ira play and dance. And I can't help but imagine just a little of Noah living through him.
Hope your trip goes well!
Hooray !! That is very big news and so exciting. Just wonderful. Makes me think of those dr's saying he'd dance at his wedding. Before we know it he will be making his own meals and eating like a champ !! Have a great road trip. Soak up the love from those you visit. Ann C.
Hooray !! That is very big news and so exciting. Just wonderful. Makes me think of those dr's saying he'd dance at his wedding. Before we know it he will be making his own meals and eating like a champ !! Have a great road trip. Soak up the love from those you visit. Ann C.
Wonderful - that made my day! Abbie loved watching - I'm sure Erin will want to watch a few times =) Hugs to all the Hays.
Hallelujah!
Amazing, strong, lovely boy...
Keep it up, Ira!
xoxo
Well, I've never been to your site before, but I'm an online friend of Stacy's. I'm so glad I popped in tonight. I'm a nurse in the NICU here, had a few bad days.. just busy.busy.busy. Ira made me smile and remember the great things about being a nurse in the NICU. What a true JOY he is. I'll be sharing this with all my team members at work. Just a reminder to us, that this is why we NEVER give up on the little ones!
Thanks for sharing Ira's journey.
He is the sweetest little thing!
Ok.. I'm off to itunes to download that song. Everytime I hear it, it will be a testament to Ira's cheery outlook! Absolutely... love his smiles!!!
Best Wishes for many more "milestones"~!
amyjoy
It has been a while since I have updated myself on the Hays family so what a wonderful surprise to open your blog and see the video of Ira off of the vent. I am sitting here at my desk at working with tears streaming down my face. I am amazed each time Ira makes another huge step at how emotional I get and I have never even met you guys. Your family is such an inspiration!
I stumbled upon your blog shortly after Ira was born and have continued to check in and read about his amazing progress ever since. Though I've often been brought to tears while reading your narrative, this video elicited tears and smiles from me. What a pleasure it is to see Ira dancing, so obviously enjoying his new-found freedom and strength. Best wishes to you all.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home